Metallic rod-packing



June 15, 1937. J. BADEKER 2,084,235

METALLIC ROD PACKING Filed Dec. 9, 1955 2 sheets-sneet 1 IIHIIIH JuneA 15, 1937. BADEKER 2,084,235

METALLIC ROD PACKING l Filed Dec. 9, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HIS ATTORNEYS Patented June 15, 1937 UNi'l'E 'l Claims.

My invention relates to the art of packing, and has among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved metallic rod packing.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a rod packing assembly according to my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a View illustrating the segments of the rod packing in association with their carrier ring;

Fig. 4 is a view taken from the position indicated by line 4-4 of Fig. 3, with certain parts broken away for the purpose of illustration;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view .along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the segment units in separated relation;

Fig. 7 is a View illustrating the manner in which the segments embrace the piston rod;

Fig. 8 is a View illustrating a similar type of segment in association with a different type of pressure spring;

Fig. 9 is an edge view of the structure of Fig. 8, with certain parts removed;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of two segments illustrating a modied pivotal connection;

Fig. 11 is a detail view of an assembly of segments designed for rods of smaller diameter; and

Fig. 12 isa sectional view along the line I2--I2 of Fig. l1.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, I make use of a piston rod I4 including the usual enlarged end IE for connection with the cross head. The piston rod I4 passes through the stuffing box I8 in the cylinder head 28. A gland 22 is detachably connected with the cylinder head through the medium of stud bolts 24 and nuts 26. Within the stuflng box I8 I position a spring follower 28 having a ange 38 clamped between the gland 22 and the cylinder head 28.

One side of the flange 3i) is provided with a rib 32 bearing against a gasket 84 lying adjacent the cylinder head. An effective seal is provided through the medium of the rib 32 and the gasket 34. The inner end of the spring follower 28 terminates in a ilange 38 for providing a seat for one en-d of the compression spring 38.

Within the spring follower 28 I mount a spring cup 48 which has a loose fit with the spring follower and is provided wtih a flange 42 against which the opposite end of the compression spring 38 rests. The compression spring 38 operates to press the spring cup 48 yieldingly toward the packing unit 44 within the gland 22.

The opening through the gland 22 and the flanges 36 and 42 are normally aligned axially with the piston rod I4 and are of such diameter as to permit the enlarged end I6 to pass therethrough, thereby facilitating the assembly of the parts by passing them longitudinally over the enlarged end of the rod.

The packing unit i4 comprises a pair of guard rings 46 and i3 between which a packing ring 5i! is positioned. Each guard ring 45 and 48 is divided diametrically into two symmetrical parts 52 (see Fig. 2). These rings are bored to iit loosely upon the piston rod I4 without having fluid-tight relation therewith. In Fig. 1, I illustrate the guard ring 46 as being positioned adjacent the flange 42 and one side of the packing ring 58, while the guard ring 48 is positioned between the packing ring 58 and the face 54 of the gland 22. Fluid-tight contact is established between the ilange 42 and the guard ring 46 as well as between the guard ring 48 and the face 54. y

Each of the guard rings 42 and 48 is provided with a peripheral groove 56 within which a coiled endless spring 58 is positioned. The springs operate to hold the parts 52 in assembled relation about the piston rod I4, but permit the parts to be separated when the springs are removed.

I illustrate the guard rings 48 and 48 as having an outside diameter less than the bore 68 in the gland 22 which houses the rings. Thus, accommodation is provided for adjustment of the rings at right angles to the horizontal axis of the gland to accommodate lateral play of the piston rod.

The packing ring `5i! is made up of two ring units 82 and B4, each comprising a group of three segments 5G and 88, respectively (see Fig. 6). The ring units 62 and 64 are enclosed peripherally by a carrier ring lil (see Fig. 3). The width of the carrier ring is slightly less than the vcombined thicknesses of the ring units 62 and 64 so that the spring cup pressure between the guard rings I6 and 48 is transmitted to the ring units. All the segments are identical in construction, each including flat parallel side faces and plane end faces 'I2 and 'I4 extending substantially tangent to the bore of the ring units. The end face 12 of each segment is arranged in abutting relation with the end face 14 of the adjacent segment.

Each segment 88 is provided with a dowel pin I5 which is presse-d into a hole 'E3 for fastening purposes, while each segment 8@ is provided with Y 60 each comprise three segments.

68 in such a manner that the ring units 62 and 64 are restrained from relative rotary motion yabout the axis of their bores. However, each segment 66 and 68 of a pivotally connected unit is free to move relatively to the other segment about the axis of its dowel pin 16.

In assembling the ring units 62 and 64, the units are reversed so that the end faces '|2 and 74 of the segments in one ring unit are arranged in crossed relation with respect to the same end vfaces in the other ring unit as indicated at 82, in

Fig. 3. In arranging the ends of the segments in the manner indicated at 82, I provide an overlapping relation between the segments which is fluid-tight. At the same time, the faces 12 and K 14 fit in close relation to provide :duid-tight contact.

Means is provided for shifting segments to compensate wear of the ring units E52 and 64. Ad-

justment of the ring units is attained through the medium of springs 84 housed between the segments 66 and 68 and the carrier ring 10. While the abutting endsof the segments may be `shifted relatively to each other, the arrangement is such that the contacting end surfaces 12 and I4 maintain parallel and abutting relation at all times, thereby providing a Huid-tight condition.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 6, the segments 66 and 68 are recessed at 86 to provide spaces for the springsv 84. The recesses 86 terminate short of the ends of the segments to provide abutments 88 which lare spaced slightly from the carrier ring 10 when the packing ring is first applied to the piston rod |4.

The recesses in the segments 66 are coextensive with the same recesses in the segments 68, and the recesses inthe two segmentsvare arranged so that one spring 84 may be associated with two segments connected as a unit by its respective dowel pin 16. `Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, the springs `84 are of less Width than the combined thicknesses of the ring units 62 and 64 so as to prevent the spring cup pressure from impairing lthe action of the springs.

In Fig. 3, I illustrate the springs 84 as conforming substantially to the curvature of the segments. Before .insertion the 'springs are substantially straight and the ends of the springs substantially abut the abutments 88 when placed in position. YThe ends of each spring are arranged to maintain the same in abutting relation with the abutments 88 in all positions of adjustment, see Fig. 7. The tension of the springs urges the segments against the piston rod |4, for maintaining sealing relation therewith.

Referring to Fig. 3, the dowel pin I6 associated `with the segment unit 90 bisects the angle 92 which defines the ends 12 of the two segments 66 and 68m that unit. The ring units 62 and 64 The dowel pin 76 of the segment unit 90 has its axis aligned with a line drawn through the axis of the ring assembly and the intersection 82 which I have indicated at 94. v 65 Fig. 7 illustrates adjustment of the segments k 66 and 68-caused by wear. The segments 68 and 68 in each unit are free to pivot about their respective dowel pins 16 in different directions. In this View, the segments 66 have pivotal move- 70 ment in the direction indicated by the arrows 96,

l while the Segments 68 have pivotal movement in the direction indicated bythe arrows 98. At the same time the segment units are shiftable bodily in a radial direction with respect to the axis of 75 the packing ring, with the axis of the dowel pin of each unit moving in a straight-radial line toward the packing ring axis. 'I'he springs 84 bear against the segments 66 at points indicated generally at |00, While the springs have pressure engagement with the segments 68 at points indicated generally at |02.

In connecting the segments for pivotal action in pairs, I provide an arrangement in which shifting of the segments in one ring unit is balanced by the action of the segments inthe other ring unit. In Fig. 3, line |03 bisects the angle |05 defining the end faces '|2 and 14 of the segment 66 in unit 00. Each segment has its ends '|2 and 14 defining the same angle. In the absence of the dowel pin 16, forces transmitted to the segments in operation are such as to tend to separate the abutting ends '|2 and '|4 of adjoining segments. The area |01 is considerably less than the area |09, so that the additional forces transmitted to the area |09 tend to shift the segments 66 in unit 00 to the right when viewing Fig. 3. Slight separation between the adjoining ends 12 and '|4 of the segments results in a large loss of steam. I prevent separation between the ends of the adjoining segments by reversing the segments in each unit and connecting the two segments so as to attain a balanced distribution of forces on each segment unit. Thus, any action between segments in one ring unit which might tend to separate the contacting ends 12 and 14 in that ring unit is prevented because of the balancing action of the segments in the other ring unit.

Segments 66 and 68 may be shifted from the position illustrated in Fig. 3 to that indicated in Fig. 7 with the ends `|2 and '|4 lying in parallel and abutting relation in all positions of adjustment. At the same time, vthe ends of the segments in one ring unit are arranged in overlapping relation with the segments in the other ring unit so that a fluid-tight condition ris maintained at all times.` l

When rst applied, the segments are bored to exactly conform to the diameter and curvature of the piston rod I4. In Fig. 3, I have indicated by line |04 excess material which may be vbored out to fit different sizes of piston rods. It is customary to bore each ring to fit the rod to which it is applied. Should the contacting areas of the segments 66 and 68 with respect to the piston rod |4 become localized through wear of the rod, my arrangement of segments provides a multiple point contact about the piston rod so that good sealing relation is maintained. In ring units 62 and 64 comprising three segments each, six points of contact are attained. The point indicates the localized point of contact with the piston rod.

In operation, the segments 66 and 68 will wear and conform to the shape of the piston rod |4. The wear on the segments is not uniformly distributed from end to end because of the pivotal action of the segments. 'Ihe modified segments in Fig. 7 indicate the distribution of the Wear. Should the piston rod |4 wear to a taper, the contacting surfaces of the segments would not exactly conform to the curvature of the rod in all positions thereof, but the multiple point contact between the segments and the rod provides an embracing relation which tends to prevent excessive loss of steam. Referring again to Fig. 3, one end of each segment is cut oif at |08 to provide a blunt end for eliminating the usual feather edge.

Referring to Fig. '7, it will be noted that the spring 84 associated with each segment unit is incapable of longitudinal displacement because of the fact that one end of the spring is restrained from movement by one abutment 88, while the opposite end is restrained by the abutment 88 of the associated segment. Thus, the springs 84 are prevented from shifting to a position between the abutments andthe carrier ring, which shifting would impair the operation of the segments.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a slightly different formv of spring construction, one in which each segment is provided with an individual spring ll. Each spring has one end bent back upon itself to provide a bead H2 which lies within a recess ||4 in its associated segment. The beaded ends of the springs are reversed in connection with the segments in a pivotally connected unit. The beads H2 and the recesses ||4 cor-operate to prevent longitudinal shifting of the springs. In an arrangement according to Fig. 8, the recessed ends of the segments pivot outwardly 'so that the springs are held in their recesses.

Figs. Il and I2 illustrate a metallic packing capable of being manufactured by die casting methods. The packing comprises two ring units |22 and |24, each comprising at least three segments o-f the same type as those illustrated in Fi-g. 6. For smaller rods, the angle indicated at |28 is slightly greater than that illustrated at 92, in Fig. 3. For a piston rod having a four inch diameter (Fig. 3), I prefer to make theangle |29 82, while the angle |3| (Fig. 11) is approximately '74 for a two inch rod. While other angles may be used, a construction as disclosed provides a more effective overlapping relation between the segments.

In Fig. 12, I illustrate the manner in which the two segments comprising a segment unit are pivotally connected. The segment i351 is provided with an integral dowel pin |32 arranged to lie within a hole |34 in the companion segment |36. The dowel pin |32 terminates short of the bottom of the hole |34 to permit the two rin-g units |22 and |24 to lie in contact with each other. Both the dowel pin and the hole are tapered to permit separation in casting. In this form of construction, I pro-vide the ring units |22 and |24 with peripheral grooves l38 for the reception of coiled endless springs |46'. These springs operate to hold the segments in operative relation and to shift the segments to compensate wear.

In Fig. 10, the segment |42 is provided with a hole |44 which extends partly through the segment. The segment |46 is provided with a similar hole |48. The dowel pin |50 is pressed into the hole |44 and is loosely positioned within the hole |48. This construction provides material |52 which tends to reenforce the segment in the locality of its pivotal connection. The pivotal connection illustrated in Fig. 12 is similar with the exception that the dowel pin 632 and the hole |34 are cast integrally with the segments |34) and |38, while in Fig. I0 bo-th segments are drilled for accommodating the dowel pin |55.

While I have illustrated three segments in each ring unit, a larger number of segments may be employed. When the number is increased, I find it necessary to employ segment pressure rings of the type disclosed in Figs. 11 and I2. However, the segments may be pivotally connected notwithstanding the use of a larger number of segments than that illustrated. Each segment 3 in yall the forms has one end cut away at |54 to provide accommodation for the carrier ring in all positions of the segment. n

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain my invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

In a metallic packing, a pair of adjoining rings, each comprising a plurality of similar segments having end faces extending substantially tangentially of the bore of the ring formed thereby, said tangential end faces of the segments of each ring being in slidable fitting contact and the end faces of the segments of one ring extending oppositely to those of the segments of the other ring, and means pivoting toget'ner pairs of overlapping segments of the rings, the `construction and arrangement being such that tangential thrust on each segment balances ther thrust on the segment pivoted thereto.

2. In a metallic packing, a pair of adjoining rings, each comprising a plurality of similar segments having end faces extending substantially tangentially of the bore of the ring formedthereby, said tangential end faces ofthe segments of each ring being in slidable fitting contact and the end faces of the segments of one ring extending oppositely to those of the segments vof the other ring, means pivoting together pairs of overlapping segments of the rings, the construction and arrangement being such that tangential thrust on each segment balances the thrust on the segment pivoted thereto, a carrier ring peripherally enclosing said adjoining rings, and means between the adjoining rings and the carrier ring for urging the segments radially inwardly.

3. In a metallic packing, a pair of adjoining rings, each comprising a pluralityV of similar segments having end faces extending substantially tangentially of the bore of the ring formed thereby, said tangential end faces of the segments of each ring being in slidable iitting contact and the end faces of the segments of one ring extending oppositely to those of the segments of the other ring, means pivoting together pairs of overlapping segments of the rings, the construction and arrangement being such that tangential thrust on each segment balances the thrust on the segment pivoted thereto, a carrier ring peripherally enclosing said adjoining rings, and a coil spring for each adjoining ring and surrounding the segments thereof for urging the latter radially inwardly.

4. In a metallic packing, a pair of adjoining rings, each comprising a plurality of similar segments having end faces extending substantially tangentially of the bore of the ring formed thereby, said tangential end faces of the segments of each ring being in slidable tting contact and the end faces of the segments of one ring extending oppositely to those of the segments of the other ring, means pivoting together pairs of overlapping segments of the rings, the construction and arrangement being such that tangential thrust on each segment balances the thrust on the segment pivoted thereto, a carrier ring peripherally enclosing said adjoining rings, spaced abutments on each segment, and leaf springs between the adjoining rings and the carrier ring for urging the segments radially inwardly and having their ends engageable with the abutments.

5. In a metallic packing, a pair of adjoining rings, each comprising a plurality of similar segments having end faces extending substantially tangentially of the bore ofthe ring formed thereby, said tangential end faces of the segments of each ring being in slidable fitting Contact and the end faces rof the segments kof one ring extending oppositely to those of the segments of the other ring, means pivoting together pairs of overlapping segments of the rings, the construction and arrangement being such that` tangential thrust on each Segment balances the thrust on` the segment pivoted thereto, a carrier ring,

peripherally enclosing said adjoining rings, each segment having a recess in the outer surface thereofV and terminating in abutments, the recess of each pair of segments being aligned With each other, leaf springs having their ends engageable with the abutments and bridging the joints between the adjoining rings, and said springs disposed in the recesses and engaging the carrier ring for urging the segments radially inwardly.

6. In a metallic packing, a pair of adjoining rings, each comprising a plurality of similar segments having end faces extending substantially tangentially of the bore of the ring formed thereby, saidtangential end faces of the segments of each ring being in slidable fitting contact and the end faces of the segments of one ring extending oppositely to those of the segments of the other ring, means pivoting together pairs of overlapping segments of the rings, the construction and arrangement being such that tangential thrust on each segment balances the thrust on the segment pivoted thereto, a carrier ring peripherally enclosing said adjoining rings, each segment having a recess in the outer surface thereof, a leaf spring for each segment of each pair and mounted in the recess thereof, each leaf spring having one end anchored to its segment, with the anchored ends of adjacent springs reversed with respect to each other, and said springs engaging the carrier ring for urging the segments radially inwardly.

'7. In a metallic packing, a pair of adjoining rings, each comprising a plurality of similar segments having convergent end faces, said con- Vergent end faces of the segments of each ring being in slidable tting contact andthe end faces of the segments of one ring extendingk oppositely to those of the segments of theother ring, relative movement between the contacting end faces of the segments being in directions substantially tangent to the bore of the ring formed thereby, and means pivoting together pairs of overlappingseg'ments of the rings, the construction and arrangement being such that tangential thrust on each segment balances the thrust on the segment pivoted thereto.

JOHN BADEKER.l 

